National Character Counts Week Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Our Nation was built on a foundation of sound moral
principles. The heroes of American history responded to
threats to their freedom by choosing to fight for these timeless
principles, assuming duties that superseded their
self-interest. The character of America's founders was
exemplified in their willingness to risk death in resisting tyranny and
securing liberty and independence. From the frozen soil of
Valley Forge to the beaches of Normandy and the deserts of the Persian
Gulf region, American soldiers have answered the call of patriotic duty
at great personal cost.

Our Nation's character continues to define how we respond to those
who threaten America's core principles of liberty, justice, and
equality. We saw that character when, in the face of the
terrible terrorist attacks of September 11, American firefighters,
police officers, and airline passengers sacrificed their lives to save
others. We saw it when people across our land donated blood
for the victims. And we see it as the children of America
donate dollars to help suffering Afghan children. These acts reveal
that enduring patriotism and faith are part of the fabric of America.

How our military is responding to these despicable attacks is also
indicative of our national character. We are waging a war
against terrorists who have hijacked their own peaceful religion in an
attempt to justify their evil deeds. As we strike military
targets, however, we also are dropping food, medicine, and supplies to
relieve the suffering among the victims of the Taliban regime.

The manner in which we face these and other challenges in this war
will continue to influence our country for generations to
come. In fulfilling our mission with both compassion and
courage, we show our children what putting American values into action
means. Similarly, parents should teach their children by
word and deed to understand and live out the moral values that we
hold, such as honesty, accepting responsibility for our actions, and
loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Places of worship, faith-based organizations, and other community
groups also play an important role in helping to shape young hearts and
minds. Government should cultivate a climate that supports
families and organizations that seek to instill sound moral principles
in their children. My Administration's Faith-Based and
Community Initiative proposes a program that will ensure that
faith-based and community caregivers are welcomed as partners in these
efforts. In addition, my budget triples the funds available
for character education in public schools. I have also
proposed to extend Federal after-school funding to programs run by
faith-based and community-based organizations.

During this week, we should reflect on the national character we
inherited from our forefathers and on the obligation we now have to
stand for morality and virtue in the face of evil and
terror. Since September 11, our Nation has shown that we are
prepared to respond to the evildoers who have attacked the principles
for which we stand. Our national character shall guide us as
we wage this war, and in that we know that evil will not triumph.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 21 through
October 27, 2001, as National Character Counts Week. I call
upon the people of the United States to commemorate this week with
appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second
day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.